Professor Nigel Lockett, Director of Enterprise Learning, said: This award is the ultimate accolade for any enterprising university and the culmination of years of hard work across the whole university.

From student start-ups to university spin-out companies and from exceptional enterprise education to supporting high-growth firms in the region, what differentiates Leeds is our commitment to commercialising world leading research and enabling enterprise students and graduates to make economic, social and cultural impact.

Building this sector leading enterprise offer is the result of the support and collaboration of staff, students, alumni and entrepreneurs - a winning team.

The title of Entrepreneurial University of the Year is one of many honours and awards the University has been nominated for this year for its enterprise initiatives.

In September, Kairen Skelley, head of the Universitys student start-up service Spark, was also named as the Higher Education Enterprise Champion at the National Enterprise Educator Awards. Professor Nigel Lockett also received a prestigious teaching award in June, a National Teaching Fellowship, marking his success in helping students, graduates and growing businesses develop their entrepreneurial skills.

The Times Higher Education Awards 2015 are open to all UK higher education institutions and showcases best practice in universities.

The University was also shortlisted in two other categories - Outstanding Employer Engagement Initiative in recognition of the Universitys collaboration with Marks & Spencer - and Dr Luke Burns from the School of Geography was nominated as Most Innovative Teacher of the Year for use of technology in his teaching, such as live voting via mobile phone in lectures, social media, e-learning folders and videos.